SANTO DOMINGO.- A solid five-inning outing with one run from debutant Travis Lakins led to a 4-1 victory for the Leones del Escogido over the Gigantes del Cibao this Friday in the first game of a doubleheader at the Quisqueya Juan Marichal stadium.
You may be interested in
:Escogido strengthens its rotation with the incorporation of pitcher Travis Lakins
Lakins (1-0) earned the victory by striking out five men and allowing only one walk. In his performance, he was only hit with two hits.
His work was backed by the bullpen, whose relievers Rolddy Muñoz, Jacob Barnes, Fernando Abad and Jimmy Cordero combined to limit the Francomacorisano bats to just one hit. Cordero (4) earned the save by retiring consecutively and without allowing liberties to the three men he faced.
Emilio Vargas (0-3) was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs in four innings.
How they scored
Visitors scored their only run of the game in the first inning with a double to left field by Johan Rojas, who stole third base and scored on a groundout by Deyvison De los Santos to the shortstop.
The Scarletts tied the actions in the third chapter, in which José Marmolejos hit a double to right field, moved to third with an undeniable hit by Chadwick Trump to left and stepped on the register with a sacrifice fly by Jason Domínguez to the same area.
The long-haired players went ahead in the fourth, when they opened with consecutive singles by Héctor Rodríguez, to right field, and by Jorge Mateo, to the pitcher, so that both then reached the plate with a double by Gio Urshela to left field.
A solo home run by Franchy Cordero to right field in the sixth inning against Hansel Robles added the fourth run for the home team. The hit traveled 425 feet at 107.9 miles per hour.
For now, El Escogido climbs to second place in the standings with their third consecutive victory, placing their record at 11-12, pending what may happen in the rest of the day. Cibao remains in the basement with 8-13.
For the reds, Urshela went 1-4, with a double and two RBIs; Cordero, 1-3, with a home run, one RBI and one run scored; Marmolejos, 1-3, with a double and a run scored, and Mateo, 1-3, with a run scored and a walk. For the northeasterners, Rojas, 1-4, with a double, a run scored and a stolen base, and Kelvin Gutiérrez, 1-3.
The Lions will face the Giants again at 7:00 PM this Friday in the second game of a double header.
